Horsham travelled to Whyteleafe to take on the form team in division one south and crashed to their heaviest defeat of the season as the Surrey side ran out 4-1 winners.
Whyteleafe took the lead from a set-piece in the 26th minute. Ryan Gray swung in a free kick from the right flank and Mark Dickinson nodded past Ian Chatfield.
The hosts made it 2-0 after 37 minutes. Paul Scott latched on to a ball over the top and crashed a shot into the right corner.
It was 3-0 just before the interval. Eddie French was adjudged to have brought down the charging Andre Robinson and Stuart Massey drilled the ball home from the spot.
Robinson added a fourth after 63 minutes. Horsham scored a consolation goal in the 89th minute when Steffan Ball converted Carlo Castrechino's cross from close range.
The Hornets are now trailing in fourth, five points behind Lewes having played two games more than their Sussex rivals.
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